1999 Land Cruiser

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Toller

Toller

10 Year
Joined
Jan 29, 2013
Threads
7
Messages
42
Looking at a '99 with over a 160,000 miles on it. Haven't been able to see it yet, as it's quite far away.

New to the addiction, but have read a lot to indicate that as the model years went on the updates including 5 speed transmission and stability control were worth waiting for...

What are the big risks of an 09? Worth looking into at the right price? What would that be?

Thanks for the advice.
 
Did you mean "what are the big risks with a '99"?
if so, go to Slee's Offroad website and look at the information he has posted about the differences across the years. I have a '99, and I am extremely happy with it, but I did correct a known weakness, which is the 2 pinion front differential, a possible problem area, by installing an ARB air locker in the front differential. On the other hand, the '99 was the last year for the factory electric rear locker, and that locker works very well. The '99 also has the climate controls separated from the radio/navigation system, making it a lot easier to upgrade just the radio head unit. HTH
 
I love my 99. It seems little more basic then the newer models and the electric rear locker just makes me happy.
 
I love my 99 also. It has 142,000 miles on it and it's going strong. I just drove to work in a big snow storm today and it handled it with ease. No white knuckling it at all.

I wouldn't hesitate getting one.
 
My '99 has 240Kmiles. Nothing but routine maintenance, an AC condensor and a rear muffler before 200K. Its worked hard, done a ton of towing, and still going strong. Hard to beat for reliability.
 
I have 160k on my 99. Around 1.5 years ago, 2003+ were double the price for similar miles as my 99. Today that dollar gap is closing, but the 98 and 99s are good trucks either way.
 
Same here..my 99 is at 233K, just installed its 3rd timing belt, other than the demise of the ABS pump, its been incredibly reliable, by far the best vehicle I've ever owned. My friends wondered what I was thinking when I sold my newer 4x4 pickup and bought the cruiser years ago...turned out to be the right decision for me...even with all the miles it runs smooth as silk..I've been thinking about selling mine, and have looked at a few new vehicles, but I haven't been able to find anything that compares to it..
 
My '99 mirrors all the replys ahead of mine - one super reliable truck !!
 
My '99 has approx 185k miles. I have owned since 35k. Only repair has been steering rack replacement (just performed). The rack did not fail, it was just leaking and I don't want stains on my driveway. To me, this is a wear And tear item. 14 years is not too bad!
 
Yeah, everything I read seems to confirm that.

I'm coming from a pretty fuel efficient car, and would be adding the LC for light commuting and family trips into the back country. No hard core off roading, but lots of camping etc.... Is this LC the best choice? Seems risky to me with so many miles, but I really love the look and ability to work on it later when I get time.

How many people would use a '99 as a daily driver and for family trips? Am I being overly optimistic?
 
Mileage with a Land Cruiser isn't your biggest issue, it's how it was maintained. Study the records and compare to the factory intervals. Find out when the starter was replaced, timing belt, and any of the big services. Look for repeating trends/repairs. That will tell you if something is wrong with the vehicle. I have 167,xxx miles on mine, I'm not nice to it at all. However the only issues I've had are the ones that I caused. The 100 is the most underestimated SUV on the market. It's a 3rd world vehicle with luxury components slapped inside for the US folks. It wasn't designed for grocery shopping or soccer mom practice, it just happened to be really, really good at it!

The question you asked shouldn't be something we answer, that is up to you. Just remember that any other full size SUV of this caliber does not have the aftermarket support. Land Rover sure, but if you want to inherit large repair bills and interior bits that rattle and break stay with the Land Cruiser. They suck on gas, they are slow, upgrades are relatively expensive, repairs generally a DIY, unless it's a huge repair or you don't own a screw driver. I use my 100 as a DD, weekend warrior, utility truck, and wheel it. It's one of the most reliable vehicles on the road today, the suspension components are 3 times the size of ordinary passenger SUV's, the skid plates are stronger than any other SUV I have seen, and the motor is built to last a life time. Just to give you a quick example, I had a spare CV with no boots on it in the back, a friend of mine had to replace his Chevy 2500 Turbo Diesel's CV's and the 100's were much beefier. The control arms are 3 times the size as well. That truck is built to tow and be under stress constantly...the 100 is not.
 
My 98 has 260k and runs like new, and yes, it has been used extensively by the previous owner.

The one thing you want to do is the timing belt/water pump, check Rock Auto and buy the Aisin kit.

I started a thread on the longevity of the 4.7 and several folks claimed 350-400k no problem.
 
Great to hear all the positive feedback.

Thing is, I'd be buying the truck with the intention of doing some maintenance on it myself...eventually. For the next year or two I'd be bringing it into a shop, and hoping not too spend too much $$.

Anybody know of a good LC mechanic in Victoria, BC?
 
Love my 99. Just like everyone else said , just replace the timing belt and water pump and its good for another 100K. if you do any serious off roading sooner or later do upgrade your front diff to a 4 pinion
other than that enjoy your future truck
 
Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I'm still looking at this 1999 LC and now a '99 LX 470 for about a grand more, but with around 20k miles less on the clock.

Anything I should watch out for with the Lexus? Do I need to be leery of the suspension or electronics?
 
Toller said:
Sorry to resurrect this thread, but I'm still looking at this 1999 LC and now a '99 LX 470 for about a grand more, but with around 20k miles less on the clock.

Anything I should watch out for with the Lexus? Do I need to be leery of the suspension or electronics?
Click to expand...

Lexus has the AHC suspension setup. If the AHC has been maintained, I wouldn't worry about it. I'd drive them both and see which one you like better and then buy it!
 
Hey thanks. I was kind of worried that the AHC wouldn't be as durable and that it will be an inevitable $ pit. I guess its relatively affordable to replace in the 99s...
 
I have had my 99 for about five years now - very reliable, very solid, will go on virtually any dirt road stock - will fit a sheet of plywood flat - can sleep in the back. Took six adults on a week long road trip - the two sitting in the way back needed to be rotated every couple of hours for comfort sake - but there is no other truck than can do all that.

Each year I like it better than the year before, and plan on keeping it for longer still.
 
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